Saddam´s lawyer : The Iraqi court is just a tool and rubber stamp of the invaders

Source: Xinhuanet | 11-06-2006 13:47

BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein shouted "Long live the nation" after sentenced to death by hanging on Sunday for being found guilty of crimes against humanity for the Dujail case.

"This court is a creature of the U.S. military occupation, and the Iraqi court is just a tool and rubber stamp of the invaders," insisted Saddam's lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi.

"The trial of the president should not proceed this way in a climate of mounting political pressure for a quick conviction that demolishes the trial's impartiality," he added.

U.S. officials reject accusations that the timing of the verdict was manipulated to give the Bush administration and GOP candidates a positive headline from Iraq after a month that witnessed noticeable surge in violence and reports saying that more than 100 U.S. troops were killed in October only.

They claim that the timing is sheer coincidence, and that the Americans' role was limited to logistics and security.

Many experts and political analysts questioned the credibility of the trial of Saddam and his codefendants, all charged with crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shias after a failed attempt to assassinate the former Iraqi leader in the town of Dujail in 1982.

But the Iraqi government insisted on carrying on with the procedures, despite delays and courtroom chaos.

"During all these months, the court has deliberately sought to limit our access and ability to defend the president ... this means that justice has not been done," Dulaimi further stated.

Editor:Sun Luying